OCZ reports "this is essentially the OCZ GOLD set, with XMP timings and the different heatsinks. He also said (as well as their website states) it's "optimized" for Core i7". So I guess there was some changes from my Gold set but if anything should be more optimized for I7. It would be interesting to see what timings they have changed although I haven't had any issues. As far as your MB problem I doubt it is the memory. Assuming you don't have a short somewhere hard to say what to do. Substitute what ever parts you can, maybe power up outside the case. For me I just slapped it together and it worked. Easiest build I have ever done and I have done many.